[mszlazak]

Originally Posted by Tor

I think the TV analogy do work and signaling can be an ok metaphor.

How does this work if not by signaling?

I do think that Stapp presents a reasonable mechanism via the quantum Zenon effect and his process1 and 0. Since his process 1 is non-local,
I don't see it as signaling in the traditional sense. The effect of process 1 is everywhere. No antenna needed.

You may call this speculation, and to some degree it is (all new science start out as good speculations to be tested against experiment), but I do
think that the empirical evidence for psi and the work of Stevenson and his peers should make us consider this as a real possibility, not some fairyland fantasy.

I'm not talking about a non-natural or supernatural entity when I'm talking about the Self.
Stapps different processes together with the Zenon effect can provide a mechanism by which the self can control a body/brain.
Everything is part of a natural psychophysical universe.
The whole distinction between natural/supernatural is an artificial one.
This border is highly fluid. It changes as we expand our view of the universe.

Of course, you can choose to interpret quantum mechanics in another way.
I personally think Stapp is in the forefront, but you may want to endorse something like the many-worlds interpretation instead

As to the whole notion of consciousness, to me it's fundamental.
It is the one thing I can not doubt.

If I try to convince myself that it's an illusion, I must ask; An illusion to whom? And the whole argument collapses on itself.

I don't feel the need to get lost in philosophical arguments regarding this.
I really don't think there's a need to. It should be plain obvious that consciousness is real. But I do respect your right to disagree

Everything Stapp adds to the quantum formalism to deal with the measurement problem is pure speculation on his part. Furthermore, note that he is taking the least favored interpretation of quantum theory, which is not derived from quantum theory, and embedding it within a speculative philosophical framework, Whiteheads process philosophy. One problem this helps him avoid with his initial interpretation of quantum theory is its anthropocentric nature, but this then leads to back again to a situation where he looses the conscious self which the initial interpretation started with. Around in a circle we go!

By the way, process 3 is the the non-locality process, process 2 is the wave function, process 1 is the orthonormal basis which is the effect of something else. Process 0 is that something else. Also, this breaking things up into these process from the usual two (process 2, 1 and 3 together) is something that is also interpretation dependent.


Lastly, I see no reason to think that consciousness is fundamental. This is most likely false.

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